Aboriginal Regional Authorities

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (14:30): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Can the minister advise the council about the nation's first Aboriginal regional authority model?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:31): I thank the honourable member for her question and her interest in these areas. The state government has been playing a leading role in supporting and developing programs, policies and legislation that seek to enhance the wellbeing and recognition of Aboriginal South Australians. We are in the final stages of consultation on amendments to the APY act and there will be a draft bill soon.

Also, the state government is delivering on its commitment to establish Aboriginal regional authorities. This is a national first; it is unique to South Australia. Aboriginal regional authorities will represent and advocate for their communities. They will have the ability to drive regional priorities and economic growth, all while working in partnership with government. It heralds a new beginning of new relationships with government and with Aboriginal South Australians. Under this policy, government will formally recognise the authority of an Aboriginal regional authority to speak on behalf of Aboriginal people for and from that region.

Regional authorities will introduce a leader to lead a relationship between state government and the regional authority. Under the policy, Aboriginal representation, self-governance and self-determination will be strengthened and Aboriginal people will have a greater say in the development and implementation of government policies, programs and services.

The announcement last week about the expression of interest for becoming regional authorities is the culmination of three years' work, following the commitment of the state government in 2013 to support a network of regional governance structures that will work with all levels of government. Between 2013 and 2015, there was a comprehensive consultation program involving two statewide processes and a targeted concept testing workshop program with four Aboriginal community organisations to develop the state's first Aboriginal regional authority policy.

A process was initiated in late 2013 to select a number of trial sites to test various aspects of the regional authority model with community groups that expressed a strong interest in the model. Four trial groups were selected: the Narungga Aboriginal Corporation, the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, the Port Augusta Aboriginal Community Engagement Group and the Kaurna Nation Cultural Heritage Association. I would like to acknowledge and thank those four groups for their participation in the development of this nation-leading policy initiative.

I announced earlier this month an expression of interest process that has now opened to recognise up to two organisations as the first formal Aboriginal regional authorities later this year. Additionally, new Aboriginal regional authorities and those groups aspiring to be Aboriginal regional authorities will have the opportunity to participate in the Aboriginal Nation (Re)building curriculum funded by the state government and developed by Flinders University. This program will support Aboriginal leaders to build robust governing bodies with strong economic potential.

The first workshop for Aboriginal organisations was held in October 2015, and I was pleased to attend and meet the participants who represented Aboriginal organisations from across this state. I note the Aboriginal Nation (Re)Building Workshops have been very well received and further workshops are planned for this year.

Last week, I wrote to many of the leaders in our state's Aboriginal communities inviting them to apply to become one of the state's first Aboriginal regional authorities. Once those expressions of interest have been received and reviewed, I expect to be able to announce the state's first two regional authorities in the coming months.

In determining the first regional authorities we will be assessing groups on how they have been able to demonstrate that they represent the Aboriginal people in the area, their strong governance arrangements, rules of representation, clear internal dispute resolution processes, gender representation on governing bodies, incorporation and a commitment to business planning.

I know that since its conception in 2013 there has been widespread support from the Aboriginal communities around South Australia and all levels of government for these new regional authorities, and I will keep the council updated as we progress through the course of this year.